University of Glasgow

Each university has its own distinct set of disciplinary policies and procedures. Please use the links below to reveal the information of interest.

Links to procedures and policies

• General misconduct
• Academic misconduct

 

Precautionary / interim measures?

When an allegation of non-academic misconduct is made, a risk assessment will be undertaken to assess whether there is a risk of harm (physical or mental) to the individual who has made the allegation or to anyone in the University community, or whether there is a risk to the University’s property or activities.

Based on the outcome of the risk assessment, and pending the outcome of any criminal proceedings, the Clerk of Senate, Chief Operating Officer, or nominee, has the authority to take precautionary measures, with immediate effect, pending further investigation. The Responding Student will be informed of the decision, and the reasons for the decision, in writing.

These measures may include, amongst other things:

a)  a non-contact order between students;

b)  limiting or removing access to University activities, services or facilities;

c)  temporary exclusion from all or part of University accommodation (to the extent permitted by the relevant accommodation contract); and/or

d)  precautionary suspension from the University.

Note: Precautionary measures pending an investigation are not a finding of misconduct, nor a formal conduct sanction.

 

Approach to police involvement?

Where the University believes or is informed that a criminal offence may have been committed, either on campus or off campus, it may report the matter to the police, regardless of the stage of any investigation or conduct procedure.

Where criminal proceedings against a student are ongoing, the University may:

1. suspend action until the outcome of those proceedings is known;
2. postpone making a decision about whether to take action until the outcome of those proceedings is known;
3. in exceptional cases, decide to continue or commence action.

A student subject to a criminal investigation must keep the University informed of any progress or change in status of the criminal process.

The University may still take action for an incident that has been considered by a criminal court, whether or not the student has been found guilty of any criminal offence by the court.

Where a student is convicted of a criminal offence, the University will use this information as evidence in conduct proceedings if it is directly relevant to the matter being considered. Any sentence or order imposed by a criminal court may be taken into account in deciding on any sanction to be applied.

 

Right to be represented?

General misconduct and academic misconduct

Students are entitled to be accompanied to meetings by:

• a family member,
• a fellow student or friend,
• an Adviser from the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Advice Centre, or
• a member of University staff, provided that the accompanying individual is not also a witness.

The role of the accompanying individual is to provide support and guidance to the person they are accompanying to the meeting. The accompanying individual shall not disrupt the proper conduct of the meeting.

With given permission, the Responding Student may be represented by the person accompanying them and the person may speak on their behalf. Permission must be requested in advance and reasons given to explain why the Responding Student requires a representative to speak for them.

If the Responding Student wishes to be accompanied or represented by a person not listed above, the student must make a request in writing to the Head of Student Conduct (student-conduct@glasgow.ac.uk) at least five working days before the meeting.

N.B. Even where universities state that legal representation is not permitted, we have often successfully argued that students ought to be in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

 

Penalties?

Procedures and sanctions will be proportionate to the misconduct. Academic sanctions will only be directly applied in relation to academic misconduct. Suspension or expulsion are potential sanctions for academic or non-academic misconduct.

General misconduct

1. Mutually Agreed or Local Resolution

Examples of the types of non-academic misconduct that might be considered locally or by mutual agreement include:

• excessive noise, particularly in residences or in the local community;
• smoking in non-designated areas;
• other minor forms of anti-social behaviour in the University or local community;
• disruption of University activities resulting in minor inconvenience;
• minor damage to University or another student’s property; and/or
• using inappropriate language, noises or gestures.

Sanctions for Mutually Agreed or Local Resolution

• issue a written warning;
• require the student to write a letter of apology;
• require the student to cover the cost of damage to property, or costs incurred as a result of the behaviour, with no financial limit;
• levy a fine of up to £250;
• issue a non-contact agreement between students; and/or
• require attendance at awareness-raising training (for example drug or alcohol awareness).

b. Resolution after Investigation under the Code of Student Conduct

Level 1 – Summary Decision

Examples of the types of non-academic misconduct that might be considered at Level 1 include:

• significant or repeated anti-social behaviour or disruption of University activities;
• criminal activity including theft, possession or use of controlled drugs, damaging University property, causing or intending to cause physical harm;
• being verbally abusive or intimidating another person;
• causing a significant health and safety concern;
• misuse of University property;
• sexual misconduct (for example touching a person’s clothes or hair or kissing without consent, sharing private sexual materials such as videos);
• repeated, unwanted and unsolicited contact with another person electronically or in person;
• deception or dishonesty;
• harassing or discriminating against any person;
• conduct that may harm the University’s reputation; and/or
• refusal to comply with another sanction imposed under this code.

Level 1 Sanctions

• issue a written warning;
• require the student to write a letter of apology;
• require the student to cover the cost of damage to property, or costs incurred as a result of the behaviour, with no financial limit;
• impose a fine of up to £350;
• the imposition of a non-contact order between students;
• require attendance at awareness-raising training (for example drug or alcohol awareness). The student may be required to cover the cost of the training;
• suspend the student from all or part of the University for up to 12 weeks, or impose conditions on the student continuing with studies; and/or
• select any combination of the above.

Level 2 - Committee Decision

Examples of the types of non-academic misconduct that might be resolved at Level 2 include:

• repeated Level 1 offences;
• submission of falsified medical certificates or other fraudulent extenuating circumstances claims;
• engaging in more serious criminal activity including fraud, serious physical assault or threat to life, major damage to University property, repeated possession or use of controlled drugs or supply of drugs, sexual violence (for example rape or intimate touching without consent) or subjecting another student to unwanted sexual acts, domestic violence, possession of indecent images of children, committing hate crimes, possession, use or supply of an offensive weapon;
• causing a serious health and safety concern;
• downloading pornographic images onto a University computer;
• bullying, in person or on social media;
• abusive comments or harassment based on a person’s protected characteristics;
• engaging in conduct that may significantly harm the University’s reputation; and/or
• refusal to comply with a significant sanction imposed under this code.

Level 2 Sanctions

• impose any of the Level 1 sanctions;
• exclude the student from all or part of University accommodation to the extent permitted by the relevant accommodation contract;
• suspend the student from all or part of the University for a specified period;
• permanently expel the student from the University; and/or
• any other sanction or combination of sanctions that the Committee considers appropriate.

Academic misconduct

1. Mutually Agreed or Local Resolution

Examples of the types of academic misconduct that might be considered locally or by mutual agreement include:

• bringing disallowed items into an examination that would bring no benefit in the assessment, or that were unlikely to be accessible; and/or
• allowing another student to copy the student’s work in a formative assessment.

Cases of minor plagiarism in summative assessments may be considered by Schools under the procedures set out in the Plagiarism Statement.

Sanctions for Mutually Agreed or Local Resolution:

• issue a written warning;
• require the student to write a letter of apology;
• require attendance at awareness-raising training (for example academic good-practice training).  The student may be required to cover the cost of the training; and/or
• any combination of the above.

In cases considered under the Plagiarism Statement, Schools are permitted to apply limited academic penalties.

b. Resolution after Investigation under the code of Student Conduct

Level 1 – Summary Decision

Examples of the types of academic misconduct that might be considered at Level 1 include:

• plagiarism;
• copying another student’s work with or without their permission;
• undue collaboration between students; and/or
• bringing materials into an examination with the potential to gain benefit in the assessment.

Level 1 Sanctions

• issue a written warning;
• require the student to write a letter of apology;
• require attendance at awareness-raising training (for example academic good-practice training);
• impose an academic penalty. An academic penalty may include one or more of the following:
• a reduction in marks for an individual assessment (including an award of zero marks);
• a reduced course grade (up to the lowest grade, H);
• capping of subsequent course grades or assessment results;
• prohibition of any reassessment opportunity; and/or
• refusing credit for a course (CR);
• suspend the student from all or part of the University for up to 12 weeks, or impose conditions on the student continuing with studies; and/or
• any combination of the above.

Level 2 - Committee Decision

Examples of the types of academic misconduct that might be considered at Level 2 include:

• extensive or multiple offences of plagiarism;
• submitting coursework assignments that have been purchased from an online provider;
• substantial or second offence of cheating in an examination;
• attempting to bribe an assessor;
• falsifying research results; and/or
• failing to uphold legal and ethical requirements of research.

Level 2 Sanctions

• impose any of the Level 1 sanctions;
• suspend the student from all or part of the University for a specified period;
• permanently expel the student from the University; and/or
• any other sanction or combination of sanctions that the Committee considers appropriate.

 

Right to appeal?

Yes, can appeal a decision or sanction.

General misconduct and academic misconduct

Grounds

The Committee shall consider an appeal only on the following grounds:

1. the Responding Student has new material evidence that they were unable, for valid reasons, to provide earlier in the process and which evidence is likely to have had a material bearing on a decision at the earlier stage;
2. the procedures set out have not been followed, to the material detriment of the Responding Student;
3. the finding of misconduct or sanction(s) imposed at the earlier stage was clearly unreasonable.

Deadline

The Responding Student must appeal in writing to the Director of Academic Services at student-conduct@glasgow.ac.uk within 10 working days of the date of the letter advising of the original decision.

Plagiarism

The student must appeal in writing to the Head of Student Conduct at student-conduct@glasgow.ac.uk within 10 working days of the date of the letter advising of the finding and any sanction being appealed against.

An appeal will only be considered on the following grounds:

1. the student has new material evidence that the student was unable, for valid reasons, to provide earlier in the process and which evidence is likely to have had a material bearing on a decision at the earlier stage;
2. the procedures set out in the Plagiarism Statement have not been followed, to the material detriment of the student;
3. the finding of misconduct or sanction(s) imposed under the Plagiarism Statement was clearly unreasonable.

 

MEMBER OF THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR (“OIA”) SCHEME?

No – should you have exhausted the University’s internal procedures, you can make a complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO - https://www.spso.org.uk/spso)

 

Contact our Student & University lawyers:

If you require further information or advice from our team of specialist lawyers, please contact a member of the team using one of the methods below. 

This information was drafted in the months leading up to September 2023. It does not constitute legal advice. As University policies are updated from time-to-time, the information on this page may contain some inaccuracies and you should always check your University’s resources and/or seek legal advice where appropriate.

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